Refuse container

ABSTRACT

A container is provided including a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior and, a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position. A container is also provided including a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open configuration providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed configuration inhibiting access to the interior, a latch pivotally coupled to the lid for movement between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration, wherein the lid is maintained in the closed position when the latch is disposed in the locked configuration and, a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the latch for resisting movement from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and thereby locking the latch until a minimum threshold force is applied to the latch.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to containers for holding refuse, and particularly to containers configured for facilitating easier filling and emptying.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In modem, urban communities, refuse containers are used to store accumulated household refuse until such household refuse can be collected by garbage trucks or the like. Typically, such refuse containers include a lid for concealing the household refuse collected therein, as well as to prevent wild animals from accessing this household refuse. With some containers, the lid is integrally mounted to a storage bin which contains the collected household refuse. Such containers, however, are awkward to use. For instance, when dumping the contents of such containers, the lid has a tendency to revert to the closed position in response to gravitational forces acting thereon as the entire container is tilted for dumping of its contents. Further, a convenient latch mechanism, positively locking the lid against the corresponding bin, is not provided.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides a container comprising a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior, a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position. The detent mechanism can comprise a protrusion configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and the closed position. The protrusion can be wedge-shaped and resilient.

[0004] In one aspect, the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and lateral support means for effecting later support of matter being vertically supported by the floor, and an opening defined by the lateral support means for effecting deposit of the matter into or removal of the matter from the cavity, wherein, in the closed position, the lid closes the opening.

[0005] In another aspect, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.

[0007] In a further aspect, the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and a sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim. The sidewall can be a continuous sidewall.

[0008] In another aspect, the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, the handle being coupled to the lateral support means by mounting means, wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.

[0009] The present invention also provides a container comprising a bin, first and second mounting brackets coupled to the bin, a handle, configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, extending between the first and second mounting brackets, a lid pivotally coupled to the mounting brackets for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior, and a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position.

[0010] In one aspect, the lid rotates about an axis during the movement between the open and closed positions, and wherein the axis is disposed vertically above the bin.

[0011] In one aspect, the handle is disposed vertically above the axis.

[0012] In another aspect, the detent mechanism comprises at least one protrusion extending from at least on of the mounting brackets and configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and the closed positions.

[0013] In a further aspect, the at least one protrusion is disposed between the axis and the handle.

[0014] The present invention also provides a container comprising a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open configuration providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed configuration inhibiting access to the interior, a latch pivotally coupled to the lid for movement between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration, wherein the lid is maintained in the closed position when the latch is disposed in the locked configuration, and a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the latch for resisting movement from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and thereby locking the latch until a minimum threshold force is applied to the latch.

[0015] In one aspect, a retainer is additionally provided for limiting pivotal movement of the latch.

[0016] In a further aspect, the latch includes a handle member and a detent mechanism engaging member for engaging the detent mechanism to effect the locking of the latch to the detent mechanism, and when the latch is in the locked configuration, the handle member is spaced apart from the detent mechanism to define a space for facilitating grasping of the latch by a human operator.

[0017] In a further aspect, the lid included a slot to facilitate deformation of the lid as the latch rides over the detent mechanism when moving between the locked and the unlocked configurations.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the container of the present invention, illustrating the lid in a closed position;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the latch of the container of the present invention, illustrating the latch in a locked condition;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the upper sections of the container of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the upper section of the container of the present invention, illustrating the lid in a fully open position.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the container of the present invention, illustrating the lid in various positions relative to the bin;

[0024]FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the bin of the container, wherein the lid is removed for purposes of clarity;

[0025]FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the lid of the container of the present invention, wherein the bin is removed for purposes of clarity;

[0026]FIG. 8 is a front section elevation view of the lid in FIG. 7;

[0027]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the bin in FIG. 6, wherein the lid is removed for purposes of clarity.

[0028]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top perspective view of an embodiment of the detent mechanism of the container of the present invention; and

[0029]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of an embodiment of the detent mechanism of the container of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, a refuse container 15 is provided including a bin 20 defining a cavity 50, and a lid 60. The bin 20 is configured to receive and contain solid and/or liquid materials within the cavity 50 such as household refuse. The lid 60 is pivotally coupled to the bin 20 for opening access to the cavity 50 to permit deposit and removal of materials from the cavity 50 while closing access at other times to hide the contents of the cavity 50 from view and mitigate egress of deposited materials out of the cavity 50.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation view of the refuse container 15, illustrating the lid 60 in five different positions indicated by reference numerals 100, 102, 104, 106, and 108. The lid 60 is disposed in fully open and fully closed positions in those positions illustrated by reference numerals 100 and 108, respectively. The lid 60 is in various intermediate open positions in those positions illustrated by reference numerals 102, 104, and 106.

[0032]FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the bin 20 of the container 15, wherein the lid 60 is removed for purposes of clarity. Referring to FIGS. 4-9, the bin 20 includes a floor 30 and a continuous upstanding sidewall 40 extending from the floor 30. The floor 30 and the sidewall 40 combine to define the cavity 50. In one embodiment, the floor 30 is configured to facilitate mounting of rolling means 22, such as casters, to the bin 20 and thereby facilitating transport of the refuse container 15 across a reaction surface, such as road surfaces.

[0033] The sidewall 40 terminates at a rim 42. An upstanding lip 44 extends from and about the entire perimeter of the rim 42, and is configured to register with a recess 62 (see FIG. 8) in the lid 60 when the lid is in the closed position 108. The sidewall includes an exterior surface 46 and an interior surface 48. The interior surface 48 functions as means for providing lateral support of matter being vertically supported by the floor 30. The exterior surface 46 generally includes front and rear surfaces 70, 72 respectively connected by opposite first and second side surfaces 74, 76 respectively. First and second handles 80, 82, extend laterally outwardly from the first and second side surfaces 74, 76, respectively. The handles 80, 82 are configured for gripping by a human operator laterally of the first and second side surfaces 74, 76.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 9, a spout 64 is formed in the rim 42 proximate to the front surface 70 to facilitate flow of materials out of the bin 20 when it is desired to empty the contents of the cavity 50 of the bin 20. The interior surface 48 is tapered to urge flow of materials from within the container towards the spout.

[0035] A strike 90 is generally disposed on and extends laterally outwardly from the front surface 70. The strike 90 includes a detent 92 or latch retainer, and is configured to resist movement of a latch 200, as will hereinafter be described. The latch 200 is provided on the lid 60 to lock the lid 60 to the bin 20 by engagement with the detent 92.

[0036] A pair of brackets 120, 122 extend from the rear surface 72 of the bin 20. The brackets 120, 122 include respective apertures 130, 132 to receive respective pins 140, 142 of the lid 60 for pivotally mounting the lid 60 to the bin 20.

[0037] A handle 170 is further provided and mounted to the bin 20 for grasping by a human operator, to effect rolling movement of the entire container 15. To facilitate such action, the handle 170 is disposed vertically above the bin 20 of the container 15, when the container 15 is in an upstanding position (such as that illustrated in FIG. 4). In one embodiment, the handle 170 extends between and connects the pair of brackets 120, 122. The handle 170 is reinforced by a plurality of reinforcement ribs 172, extending radially from the handle 170.

[0038] The lid 60 is pivotally coupled to the bin 20, to effect opening and closing of the bin 20 by the lid 60 while integrating the lid 60 with the bin 20 into a single structure. In this respect and referring to FIG. 6, a pair of opposing mounting brackets 240, 242 extend from the rear section 66 of the lid 60. The mounting brackets 240, 242 are configured to effect pivotal coupling of the lid 60 to the bin 20. The mounting brackets 240, 242 include respective inwardly facing mounting pins 140, 142. The mounting pins 140, 142 are received within the apertures 130, 132 of the respective bin brackets 120, 122, thereby effecting pivotal coupling of the lid 60 to the bin 20.

[0039] A detent mechanism 160 is provided and is configured to resist rotational movement of the lid 60 relative to the bin 20 between the fully open position 100 and the fully closed position 108 (see FIG. 5). Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 7, in one embodiment, the detent mechanism 160 comprises a wedge-shaped protuberance 1601 extending laterally from the bracket 120. The wedge-shaped protuberance 1601 provides a cam surface to interfere with movement of the lid 60 past the protuberance 1601. It is understood that a corresponding protuberance 1601 could also be disposed on bracket 122. In another embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the detent mechanism 160 further comprises a protuberance 1602 provided on the lid 60 configured to engage the protuberance 1601 during movement of the lid from the fully open position 100 to the fully closed position, whereby such engagement causes an interference with the movement of the lid 60 past the protuberance 1601.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 7, the lid 60 is rotatably moveable relative to the bin 20 between the fully closed position 108 and the fully open position 100, as described above. When it is desired to dump the contents of the bin 20, the lid 60 is moved to the fully open position 100, and is substantially disposed below the handle 170. The detent mechanism 160 is configured to resist movement of the lid 60 away from the fully open position 100. As such, when the container 15 is tilted to facilitate gravitational flow of its contents for discharge from the container 15, the detent mechanism 160 resists the lid 60 from closing itself against the bin 20. The detent mechanism 160 may, in one embodiment, include a wedge-shaped protuberance 1601 extending from the bracket 120 and is configured to interfere with the lid 60 during movement thereof from the fully open position 100 to the fully closed position 108. To facilitate movement of the lid 60 past the detent mechanism 160. and towards the fully closed position 108, the bin bracket 120 and the lid bracket 240 are made sufficiently resilient to permit deformation in response to application of a force to the lid 60 when the detent mechanism 160 is engaged, so as to urge the lid 60 towards the fully closed position 108. Such deformation is facilitated by making these elements from sufficiently resilient materials, such as polyethylene. Accordingly, in order to close the lid 60 against the bin 20, a threshold force must be applied to the lid 60 to effect the necessary deformation and move past the detent mechanism 160. In the closed configuration, the lid 60 is seated against the rim 42.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the lid 60 generally includes a front section 65, a rear section 66 and first and second opposite side sections 67, 68 respectively extending between and merging with the front and rear sections 65, 66. A latch 200 is pivotally coupled to the front section 65 of the lid 60, and is configured to ride over the detent 92 provided on the striker 90 between locked and unlocked configurations. The latch 200 assumes the locked configuration when the lid 60 is in the closed position. When in the locked configuration, the detent 92 resists movement of the latch 200, and the lid 60 is maintained in the closed position 108. In the unlocked configuration, the lid 60 is free to move between open and closed positions.

[0042] The latch 200 includes a handle 210 configured to be grasped by a human operator to facilitate application of the necessary force by the human operator. In this respect, when the latch 200 is in the locked configuration, the handle 210 is spaced apart from the striker 90 to define a space for facilitating grasping of the handle 210 by a human operator.

[0043] The lid 60 can be locked or unlocked relative to the bin 20 by applying a force to the latch 200 to move the latch 200 past the detent 92. The latch 200 is effected to move past the detent 92 by simultaneously causing resilient deformation of one or both of the latch 200 and the striker 90. The front section 65 of the lid 60 includes a slot 69 to facilitate deformation of the lid 60 as the latch 200 rides over the detent 92 to a locked configuration. In one embodiment, the latch 20 causes resilient deformation of the strike 90. In this respect, the latch 200 is made from a metal and the strike 90 is made of polyethylene. Such deformation effects additional resistance to the movement of the latch 200 away from the locked configuration. Once in the locked configuration, the latch 200 can be moved to the unlocked configuration by a hand of a human operator applying the necessary threshold force to the latch 200 so that the latch 200 rides over the detent 92 to the unlocked configuration.

[0044] The lid 60 includes a retainer 211 for limiting pivotal movement of the latch 200 away from the unlocked configuration. In doing so, forces applied to the latch 200 by a hand of a human operator effect pivotal movement of the latch 200 away from the unlocked configuration until engagement with the retainer 211. Once the latch is engaged to the retainer 211, continued application of forces to the latch 200 are translated to the lid 60, causing pivotal movement of the lid 60 to thereby effect unseating of the lid 60 from the rim 42, and thereby opening the bin 20. In this respect, unlocking and opening of the bin 20 can be effected by a human operator in a single action.

[0045] As described above, the lid 60 includes a recess configured to receive the lip 44 of the bin 20, when the lid 60 is in the closed position 108. Such engagement substantially prevents the egress of any materials from the container cavity 50, when the lid 60 is fully closed and locked to the bin 20.

[0046] Although the disclosure describes and illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art. For definition of the invention, reference is to be made to the appended claims. 

1. A container comprising: a bin; a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior; and a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position.
 2. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and lateral support means configured for effecting lateral support of matter being vertically supported by the floor, and an opening defined by the lateral support means for effecting deposit of the matter into or removal of matter from the cavity, wherein, in the closed position, the lid closes the opening.
 3. The container as defined in claim 2, wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.
 4. The container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.
 5. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and a sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.
 6. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and a continuous sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.
 7. The container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container the handle being coupled to the lateral support means by mounting means, and wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.
 8. The container as defined in claim 7, wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.
 9. The container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.
 10. The container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, the handle being coupled to the sidewall by mounting means, and wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.
 11. The container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, the handle being coupled to the sidewall by mounting means, and wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.
 12. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detent mechanism comprises a protrusion configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and the closed positions.
 13. The container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the protrusion is resilient.
 14. The container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the protrusion is wedge-shaped.
 15. The container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and lateral support means configured for effecting lateral support of matter being vertically supported by the floor, and an opening defined by the lateral support means for effecting deposit of the matter into or removal of matter from the cavity, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid closes the opening.
 16. The container as claimed in claim 15, wherein in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.
 17. The container as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.
 18. A container comprising: a bin; first and second mounting brackets coupled to the bin; a handle, configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, extending between the first and second mounting brackets; a lid pivotally coupled to the mounting brackets for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior; and a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position.
 19. The container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the handle is disposed vertically above the bin.
 20. The container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the detent mechanism comprises at least one protrusion extending from at least one of the mounting brackets and configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and closed positions.
 21. The container as claimed in claim 18, wherein the lid rotates about an axis during the movement between the open and closed positions, and wherein the axis is disposed vertically above the bin.
 22. The container as claimed in claim 21, wherein the handle is disposed vertically above the axis.
 23. The container as claimed in claim 22, wherein the detent mechanism comprises at least one protrusion extending from at least one of the mounting brackets and configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and closed positions.
 24. The container as claimed in claim 23, wherein the at least one protrusion is disposed between the axis and the handle.
 25. A container comprising: a bin; a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open configuration providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed configuration inhibiting access to the interior; a latch pivotally coupled to the lid for movement between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration, wherein the lid is maintained in the closed position when the latch is disposed in the locked configuration; and a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the latch for resisting movement from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and thereby locking the latch until a minimum threshold force is applied to the latch.
 26. The container as claimed in claim 25, wherein the latch includes a handle member and a detent mechanism engaging member for engaging the detent mechanism to effect the locking of the latch to the detent mechanism, and when the latch is in the locked configuration, the handle member is spaced apart from the detent mechanism to define a space for facilitating grasping of the latch by a human operator.
 27. The container as claimed in claim 26, further comprising a retainer for limiting pivotal movement of the latch and effecting translation of a force being applied to the latch into pivotal movement of the lid.
 28. The container as claimed in claim 27, wherein the retainer is disposed on the lid. 